New York state Marine killed in Afghanistan

Monday

Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, 19, a U.S. Marine from Hornell, was one of two U.S. service members killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan on Saturday.

Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, 19, a U.S. Marine from Hornell, was one of two U.S. service members killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan on Saturday.

The Hornell High graduate, married just six months ago, was remembered as a friendly young man with a bright future.

“He always wanted to be a Marine. It’s something he always wanted and looked forward to. He was taking after his uncle Matt. That’s why he joined the Marines,” said his grandfather, Sid Smith of North Hornell.

“(Zachary) was always the life of the party. Excellent personality, always doing harmless devilish things. He was very well liked for his personality.”

Smith’s grandmother, Alice Smith, spoke for all in the Hornell area who knew him.

“He was a great kid,” she said, adding, “Full of life and and love, always on the up. He had a lot of friends and was a thoughtful boy.”

Smith is survived by his wife, Anne (Deebs) Smith, who he married last summer; his brother Nathaniel, 23; his sister Grace, 10; and his parents, Christopher and Kim Smith; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Andrea Deebs of Hornell.

Family members were set to travel Monday to Dover, Del., to take part in ceremonies returning their son to the United States. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Mayor Shawn Hogan said the Smiths are his neighbors on Mays Avenue and he was deeply saddened by the news.

“He grew up across the street from me and he always brought a smile to my face and happiness to my heart because he was such a warm personality ... It’s almost like a part of my family is gone. I just know this is a big loss for the community. You often hear about these brave young men dying and it’s always somebody else’s brother or son. Now this is something we have to cope with,” Hogan said.

Hogan ordered the city flags flown at half staff Sunday morning until Smith’s body is returned home.

“The brutality of war was dumped at our door step this morning and it’s ugly,” Hogan said.

Zachary Smith played two seasons of varsity football at Hornell High School, starting on the offensive line at the center position in 2007. He graduated in 2008 and joined the Marines in July that year.

Known by those close to him for his sense of humor and athleticism, Smith touched the lives of many coaches at HHS.

Mickey Carretto retired from the HHS?football program after the 2008 season. Carretto coached the Red Raiders offensive line and linebackers from 1998 to 2008.

“I’ve known him since he was a baby,” Carretto said. “He was one of the most sincere, honest, nice kids that you’ll ever meet up with. Always a smile on his face and he always had a great positive attitude. He always took the time with the younger kids, he took them under his wing so to speak. In fact, he treated my little girls like gold. They’re as devastated as anybody right now ... You can’t say enough good things about him. A?blue-chip kid who will be missed by everybody.”

Gene Mastin, HHS?athletic director and head varsity football coach, spoke to the same degree of the soldier, neighbor, friend and family member that remains on so many minds.

“They don’t come any better,” Mastin said. “If Hornell ever had a favorite son it was probably Zach Smith. He was universally liked. Everything about him was good,” he said. “Devastating. You deal with so many great kids and Zach was right at the top of the list. I can’t imagine ... he was just everything that was good about any kid growing up today. He was just one of the best, most well-respected kids we’ve had in our school.”

Mastin said the pair formed a close bond over the years without effort.

“I?don’t know but we did,”?Mastin said. “He was just one of those kids that was so easy to like. And such a hard worker. He called me every week of every game, throughout the playoffs and things like that ... You get close with people, and this was somebody I was going to be close with for the rest of our lives. A great kid and a great family. One of those things that you really grapple to find words for. Just devastating.”

The character of Zachary Smith, who would have been 20 on April 2, according to his grandparents, was even felt by those who briefly knew him.

Jerry McAneny, a BOCES physical education teacher, did not teach Smith, but has a son who graduated in his class and spoke to Smith on several occasions.

“I knew him through school. He was just a great kid. He was a gentleman, a lot of fun to be around, and always respectful,” he said. “When he came back after joining the Marines he came into school with his uniform and talked to me. There was a fire drill and we went outside in the front lawn and he told me how he was doing and how proud he is to be serving the country.”

Others found great pleasure getting to know him better.

“He was always smiling, always able to joke, always respectful and never a problem. He was your all-American kid. He was the type of kid that if you’re a parent and you had a son you’d want your son to grow up and be just like him,” said Brian Dyring, a HHS?physical education teacher who instructed Smith. “He was without a doubt the greatest kid to walk the hallways at Hornell High School.”

Michael Brewer is a manager at the Hornell Wegmans and worked with Smith, who was a cashier and handled various other responsibilities in the couple of years he worked there.

“The best way to describe him was an all-around likeable kid. He touched everyone with his humor ... He was a great kid. It was that simple. He was great to be around and he always lifted everyone’s spirits,” said Brewer.

Sid Smith said his grandson was a proud Marine and was just beginning his patrols. Alice Smith noted that the community has been respectful and there has been an “outpouring of love from our friends and family.”

Congressman Eric Massa, D-Corning, met with the family Sunday, and this morning issued the following statement: “Like all members of this community, I am saddened by the sacrifice of Lance Corporal Zach Smith and my heart goes out to his entire family. I will do everything in my power to help the entire Smith family through this terrible tragedy and I ask everyone to keep the Smiths in their prayers.”

The Evening Tribune

Includes reporting by Derrick Balinsky.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.